The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

"How do you explain this now? Did Tatia also fight herself this time?"

"No. I did it. Teacher, I'm willing to accept the punishment."

"Okay. Listen carefully!"

In front of the new students, Wols loudly announced the punishment for Oz.

"Because Oz violated school rules by engaging in a private fight outside of permitted combat training, resulting in serious consequences, I, Wolse, the instructor of the Advanced Hero Class, have imposed a confinement penalty on him! From today until the graduation exam, Oz is not allowed to participate in any classes and is disqualified from taking next week's assessment!"

"..."

Although the review and implementation of the punishment still needed confirmation from the principal and Frost, Wols, as one of the top elite elders here, had the authority to act first and report later. The two people were unlikely to object to the punishment she decided on. Therefore, Oz simply listened silently, without uttering a single word of rebuttal. He didn't even mention that Tatia was the one who started the trouble.

Upon hearing this, Naka turned and left.

"Hey! Naka!"

Jasmine followed behind her. She pressed for an answer.

"Is this really a good idea? Are we just leaving the boy there like this?"

"The teacher will take him to the infirmary for treatment soon. We don't need to worry about the rest."

"Don't you have anything to say to him? Why did he fight Oz in the first place... Don't you want to ask him?"

"...What I wanted to say is no longer important."

Naka looked somewhat disappointed as she said this.

"Although the teacher only announced the punishment for Oz, Tatia definitely won't be free of debts. Once he's healed, the school will hold him accountable. They'll definitely have a lot to say to him then. I won't even have a chance to get involved."

Naka's words were indeed reasonable from a rational standpoint. Undeniably so. However, Jasmine felt somewhat uncomfortable. Emotionally speaking, this wasn't the attitude one should have towards someone they'd known for a long time and who harbored mutual affection. She began to speak...

"Naka...why do you seem to have become a bit distant and cold towards him? What exactly happened between you two?"

Faced with this problem, Naka could only sigh helplessly.

"If only I knew what had happened..."

The author's words:

From this chapter onward, the story will become a bit heavier. This feeling will continue until the end of Volume Two.

Despite Mitian's interference, the pretense-based relationship between Naka and Tatsia has inevitably developed cracks. These cracks are widening the distance between them. The author believes that these setbacks and trials are necessary steps to elevate their relationship to a new level.

What they each learned, understood, thought, and experienced that led to their further changes will be the focus of Volumes Two and Three. A character whom the author deliberately portrayed as somewhat unlikable will also be permanently removed from the story soon. Thank you for reading this far, and I hope you look forward to the upcoming story.

Unwavering confidence

Tatia couldn't remember what had happened to her. From the moment she heard Oz utter the name of the most important person in her heart, her mind went blank. When she came to, she found herself in front of the ceiling. She didn't know when she had been moved to another place. Now she was lying in bed.

She tried to sit up, but suddenly felt sharp pains all over her body. The pain made her lie back down.

"It hurts... what's wrong with me..."

Unable to sit up, Tatsia couldn't see her surroundings. However, she quickly realized her location from the pungent smell of alcohol: the school's infirmary.

"Why am I here... Ah, right."

The pain brought back a flood of memories. She remembered everything from what she had done after hearing Oz's words, to how she had been utterly defeated. Everything that happened until Oz's final punch came crashing down on her.

I can't win... Even though I've doubled my efforts this past month, practically poured my heart and soul into it, I still can't beat him. I'm completely at a loss.

If things continued like this, she would fail the graduation exam as well. Naka would follow him, bidding her farewell forever... These thoughts plunged Tatsia into despair. She clutched the sheet covering her tightly in regret, clenching her teeth to hold back her tears.

"Ah...right!"

Besides that, Tatia suddenly remembered something equally important. Despite the pain, she forced herself to get up. After confirming that no one else was in the infirmary, she unbuttoned her clothes and looked at her body.

"My identity...has it been exposed!?"

If someone had bandaged and treated her while she was unconscious, then her true identity as a woman, or even an elf, would have been revealed. Tatia quickly checked to see if anyone had directly witnessed her body.

Just as Tatsia had feared, the headband around her ears showed no signs of being tampered with, thankfully, but a bandage was wrapped around her chest. Her usual breast wrap was nowhere to be found. This was irrefutable proof that her private parts had been exposed. Tatsia's mind was instantly gripped by panic once more.

"What should I do... what am I going to do..."

"Oh, you're awake?"

Suddenly, someone entered the infirmary without knocking. Tatsia quickly pulled her clothes back up. Looking at the person, she realized it was the doctor she'd met months ago when Ms. Wols had brought her here after her self-harm. She was holding a transparent lunchbox with half-eaten rice inside, seemingly having just returned from the cafeteria. Seeing Tatsia sit up, she picked up a spoonful of rice and put it in her mouth, chewing and mumbling indistinctly.

"Don't be so anxious, let's lie down a little longer."

"Um, I..."

"Um?"

Tatya stammered out incoherent words. She couldn't tell from the doctor's expression whether she had revealed anything about her gender, nor did she know how to explain it to her. The doctor, in turn, looked at her blankly.

"Nissantha? (What are you trying to say?)"

"This, mine...I am..."

In the time it took the doctor to finish his meal, Tatya hadn't been able to utter a single complete sentence. The impatient doctor swallowed his food and complained to her clearly.

"Can you stop acting like a little girl? Just say what you mean."

"...Huh?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"What...did you just say?"

"Can you stop acting like a little girl and being all coy? A grown man should just say what he means, what's he afraid of?"

"big..."

However, it seemed that Tatsia's fears hadn't materialized. The phrases "with a little girl" and "a grown man" indicated that the doctor still believed her to be male. It seemed that the person treating her wasn't her. This gave Tatsia a slight sense of relief.

However, she couldn't deny that someone had seen her body. If others found out, her dangerous situation wouldn't improve at all. So, Tatsia slowly buttoned her clothes and tentatively asked...

"Um, I'd like to ask... who brought me here?"

"It's Ms. Worth. Just like last time you got yourself into trouble."

"Teacher Wolse... so who was the one who treated me..."

"It's Ms. Mitiam from the Saintess Class."

"rice..."

Upon hearing the name, Tatsia felt both relieved and shocked. It was none other than the detestable teacher who had been trying to adopt her and had told her so much about Naka. And since she already knew her true identity, she didn't need to worry about it being exposed to others if the teacher saw her.

But... why would that teacher come to treat her? Tatsia hadn't seen her since their last conversation. Tatsia understood; she was there to prevent her secret from being revealed. That night, Tatsia had said some very harsh things to her, so why would she do this now? Tatsia was completely baffled.

"Ms. Mitis...didn't she say anything?"

"She didn't say much. But after she heard you were injured, she rushed here and insisted on treating you herself. She even kicked me out without telling me why. So you see, I just went to the cafeteria for a meal."

As she spoke, she showed Tatia her lunchbox.

"So... what did Teacher Mitis say next?"

"How would I know? I just got back! I was just about to ask you. Did she say anything to you? Why are you being so secretive?"

"No, no..."

She claimed it was for her own happiness, but her face was filled with selfishness. Her mother had told her about her, which only made Tatsia dislike her more. Yet, at the crucial moment, she still helped her without hesitation. Tatsia couldn't help but ponder. What exactly did Mitian want?

At that moment, the doctor suddenly remembered something important. He quickly said to her...

"Oh, right, there's something I need to tell you... although it's not me who needs to talk to you, it's Ms. Worth who asked me to pass on a message."

"Ms. Worth?"

"Yes. She said she's punished Oz. She's banned him from next week's assessment."

"Is that so!?"

Tatsia jumped out of bed excitedly, seemingly forgetting even her injuries. But compared to the fact that he could disappear from Naka's side, these trivial matters no longer held any significance for Tatsia.

"Hey, don't get too excited. There's some bad news."

"Bad news?"

"It's you. Although you were the one who was seriously injured, engaging in a private fight outside of the school's permitted sparring training is a serious violation of school rules. As the person involved, you cannot escape responsibility. Ms. Worth has decided to punish you."

"....."

"However, Oz said he started the fight, so your punishment will be lighter compared to his. It'll just be a week of confinement until the assessment starts next week, and a written apology."

"Wh-what?"

Even if it was a momentary impulse, Tatia remembered that she had attacked Oz first and made unreasonable demands on him. But Oz, like Mittian, had silently protected her.

Why? Why do the people she hurts all want to protect her? Tatia doesn't understand. Her identity hasn't been exposed, and she hasn't been banned from next week's assessment. This should be a time of joy and celebration, but she's overwhelmed by a strange sense of guilt.

"Okay, lie down a little longer. You can get up later."

Tatsia's complexion visibly worsened. The doctor, thinking her injuries were throbbing again, gently pressed on her shoulder and laid her down. Tatsia said nothing more, only closing her eyes in thought.

Over the past few months, she had indeed become increasingly unlike herself. Her words and actions had become somewhat sharp and sarcastic. She had even developed murderous intent towards Oz, who wanted to be on good terms with her, unilaterally regarding him as her mortal enemy. As a result, she had suffered today's crushing defeat. Tatiana also realized that a very dangerous emotion existed within her, driving her to do those dangerous things.

However, what's done is done. Even if such feelings are dangerous, Tatia has no choice but to accept them and let them influence her decisions and emotions.

Whether Mitian's words were true or not, Tatia no longer wanted to relinquish first place to anyone. Nor would she be swayed by her demands. Becoming the strongest graduate, becoming Naka's most capable right-hand woman... even if that was the only outcome, it was Tatia's greatest goal at this moment. Oz was someone she had to defeat. That would not change. But how could she do it?

The self-criticism is easy to write. But my abilities will stagnate during confinement. This means I won't be able to catch up with Oz. I'm no match for him unarmed, and using weapons won't fundamentally change the outcome. I'll still lose the final practical exam.

"...No, that's not right. I'm not like him."

Exams, real combat, weapons... As she considered how to face the challenges ahead, Tatia suddenly remembered that she possessed a unique advantage that Oz lacked. Even if she wasn't his match unarmed, he was still superior in swordsmanship. But in the most crucial aspect—"weapons"—Tatia also possessed a significant advantage that Oz couldn't compensate for with talent and skill alone.

"I have 'Elf Paradise' here...!"

It was a sword that at first glance appeared to be nothing more than a piece of junk. But during her previous mission, at the critical moment, it transformed into a holy sword with astonishing power. It was a treasure left to her by her mother. It was far from any ordinary sword found on the market; it was incomparable to any other precious sword. A single strike could unleash a tremendous power that Tatya could never have achieved on her own.

Moreover, Tatia's physical abilities are now far superior to what they were back then. She can unleash the power of "Elf Paradise" much better than before. Tatia believes that no matter what kind of sword that poor boy Oz wields, or how much stronger he is than her, as long as she has her mother's love and her greatest masterpiece in her hands, she will be able to secure victory against any opponent.

Why hadn't she thought of this sooner? She clearly had no reason to worry. Thinking this, a smile returned to Tatya's previously disappointed expression. The problem that had troubled her for so long was solved so easily.

"Oz, I'll scare you half to death... I'll make you pay for this day's humiliation tenfold!"

In a real, brutal duel, swords have no eyes. Even if he dies, it can be excused as an "accident," leaving everyone without complaint. If anyone's to blame, it's the school that allows students to use deadly weapons in combat. And what kind of astonishment will Oz show when facing his holy sword? What kind of expression will he have as he faces the end of his life when Oz cuts off his head? Just imagining it makes Tatia grin.

A naive fourteen-year-old girl, blinded by dark emotions, made the above superficial and childish judgment. She only realized things weren't as simple and smooth as she had imagined on the day of the assessment a week later.

Before the preliminary assessment begins

Time flies, and a week has passed in the blink of an eye. The students of the Sunflower Town Adventurer's School are facing their best opportunity, besides their graduation exams, to express themselves and prove their abilities. Early in the morning, the new students gathered in the simulation training hall, just like they had at the opening ceremony a few months ago.

However, this time it was different from the opening ceremony. The simulation training hall had many exits leading to different simulated environments. Instead of entering through the main gate, students entered through various side doors according to their assigned numbers. Then they waited at the designated locations as instructed by the school.

Each team consists of five people, roughly divided into four combat classes and one support/healing priestess. Of course, the total number of new students won't coincidentally allow everyone to form exactly five-person teams. There will always be discrepancies. Therefore, the ratio of combat classes to priestesses in some teams may be adjusted. While this might lead to some unfairness, this is ultimately just a preliminary exam, intended to give each adventurer a basic understanding of their current individual and teamwork abilities and a rough comparison with other adventurers. It will not affect the final graduation exam, and therefore, not many students have raised any objections.

Jasmine arrived at her assigned simulated mountain area well before the designated time. She crouched at the entrance, waiting for her teammates. Before the exam began, the new combat class students would retrieve their stored weapons from the school's warehouse. The Saintess, unarmed, naturally arrived at the training hall earlier than the others. Soon, her three combat class companions—a male warrior, a female mage, and a male fighter—arrived. Only the team's hero, Tatia, had not yet arrived.

"That boy is so slow..."

Because Takia had been brutally beaten by Oz that day, as someone who knew Takia well, Jasmine was very worried about her condition. Moreover, not counting her fight with Oz last week, Jasmine and Takia had been separated for many months. She really wanted to chat with Takia about what they had seen and heard over the past few months and confirm each other's growth. Therefore, Jasmine went out full of anticipation.

But no matter how long she waited, Tatia didn't appear. The deadline was fast approaching, and she still hadn't shown up. This made Jasmine extremely anxious.

"What's wrong with the kid? I heard his injury should have healed and shouldn't affect the assessment... Did he oversleep and forget?"

As Jasmine speculated, one of her fellow soldiers showed impatience. Unlike Jasmine, he had no tolerance or benign assumptions about a stranger who was late.

"Could it be that he's scared and deliberately not coming? What are we going to do if he doesn't come? If we're one person short, are we going to find someone else to fill in? Or are we going to have to compete with five people like us?"

"Who knows?" a fellow fighter chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. The warrior irritably pounded his longsword.

"Tch! What a troublemaker! I'll never team up with someone like that again!"

After all, he was her friend's boyfriend (in Jasmine's eyes), and being gossiped about like this by outsiders made Jasmine somewhat unhappy. She responded...

"Can't you guys be a little more patient? It's not time yet, so we can't say he's late or anything."

"snort"

The teammates around her turned their heads away unhappily. They were all complaining about the latecomer, but Jasmine stood up for her. Although she wasn't wrong, this unsociable attitude still created some distance between the teammates.

Time ticked by, and another ten minutes passed quickly. With only three minutes remaining before the assessment began and all entrances and exits of the simulation hall were sealed off, Tatiya still hadn't appeared.

"What's wrong with this boy...? Um! I'll go find him!"

As she spoke, Jasmine ran towards the closing exit. The female magician grabbed her arm.

"Is it really worth it? If you don't come back, you'll be treated as disqualified as well."